Are nuts good or bad for ulcers?

Conventional wisdom once thought that if you had an ulcer, it was because of the foods you ate. However, we now know that the information is false. According to UC Health, we know that foods don’t cause or cure ulcers — and that includes nuts. There is no evidence that nuts are bad for ulcers, which is good news for all nut lovers. In general, nuts consumed in moderation are good for your health.

“In the past, it was thought that nuts were bad for digestion and could worsen digestive diseases,” says Andrew L. Rubman, ND, a naturopathic physician and director of the Southbury Clinic for Traditional Medicines in Southbury, Connecticut. “Although some people may experience indigestion from nuts, most people will not as long as they chew them thoroughly. Nuts are worth adding to your diet for their healthy fats, oils, and proteins.”

How Walnuts Can Help Ulcers

According to the Mayo Clinic, nuts are an excellent source of antioxidants, or nutrients, that help protect your cells from damage. A diet rich in antioxidants can help reduce the risk of developing health problems like heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.

However, research published in BMC Gastroenterology also shows that eating foods containing antioxidants may help reduce the risk of developing Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. This is important because a bacterial H. pylori infection attacks the lining that protects your stomach and is a common cause of ulcers, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Therefore, eating foods containing antioxidants can help reduce your risk of getting an H. pylori infection.